IIt was a joy to work with Mallory and Sebastian for their summer-wedding dessert tables and cutting-cake, set at Ethereal Open Air Resort in Escondido, California. I had the honor of catering small-batch desserts made with meticulous care and fresh details for their guests to enjoy.
dessert table “abbondanza”
I had the pleasure of working with the mother of the bride for these wedding dessert tables. Like me she was raised Italian, so we both understand the concept of “abbondanza,” or the necessity for abundance with food and dessert. Like many cultures, an important part of hosting once in a lifetime celebrations is making sure guests are comfortable with feasting to their hearts-content.
healthier banana bread and muffins
My favorite recipe for comfort food in the form of banana bread is right here! Over the years at home, I’ve played with too many of these recipes to count. Most of them were trying to be healthier-made for myself and my family. This is the first time I’ve perfected a recipe worthy of sharing, that is practically fat-free, and can also be classically, or both vegan and gluten free, and still come out better than excellent. One of the ingredient-versions is literally the best banana bread I’ve ever made. Yes! It’s that good!
summertime-backyard arrangement
Details and a little story about the wildflowers used to make a ‘summertime-backyard’ inspired arrangement.
just applesauce
There are some things that I don’t buy from the store, because I prefer to make them. Applesauce is one of those things. This is a super simple recipe. Just applesauce means only the use of fresh apples and water, with a little bit of time. I’ll show you how.
vegan ice cream for breakfast, with three simple ingredients
It’s summer time, and I like to make it easy and fun. For kids of any age, and all year-round, breakfast is definitely more fun when it’s labeled “ice cream.”
This recipe feels right and tastes even better. It’s banana-based, dairy-free (and vegan), with no added processed sugars. It’s a way for to pretend I’m serving ice cream for breakfast, made with three simple ingredients.
simple Saturday pancakes
This quick and simple recipe for pancakes might guarantee that you’ll always them from scratch. You can take it one step further when your kids make them for you! I’ve offered variations and substitutions, so that this recipe can be…
Nonna’s gardenia flower crown
Today is Nonna’s 76th birthday! What a treasure! I’m looking back on the fun we had with the gardenia flower crown I made this spring.
toasted coconut
Toasted coconut comes up time and time again for my coconut-loving recipes. I make it often because it’s a best-finisher. The taste and texture are wonderful, and it’s almost too easy to prepare. I’m sharing the how-to, along with the details from my mom’s (Nonna’s) 75th birthday cake as inspiration.
bursting birthday floral
Bursting with color and natural beauty, all of the colors of the rainbow are here in the two birthday bouquet arrangements I designed – one for delivery in San Marcos and one as an early birthday gift to myself.
s’mores brownies
S’mores and summertime go hand-in-hand in our family. For the love of chocolate, grahams, toasted marshmallows, and for taking things to another level, I’m sharing this ultimate way to enjoy them: S’mores Brownies!
making a graham cracker crust
Some recipes start from the bottom, and a graham cracker crust bottom is exactly where we like to be! I’m sharing my simple, tried and true graham cracker crust recipe that elevates the bottom of tarts, cheesecakes, cupcakes, brownies and more. I’m also offering the how-to along with notes to make this free of dairy or vegan.